Holiday Hazards

While you are busy making your plans for Christmas, please don’t forget to include your pets.  The holidays are a time for giving, but there are some things that you should not share with your little furry friends.  Once you know the hazards, a little precaution and prevention will make the holidays a happy time for everyone. 

Some of the more common holiday hazards include:

BONES:  The holiday turkey or chicken will leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don’t feed them to your pet.  Beware of steak bones as well.  Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach and intestinal tract.

FAT:  Those wonderful potato latkes (watch the hot oil!), gravies and potato skin can cause severe gastrointestinal upset as well.

HOLIDAY PLANTS:  Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous when eaten.  The lovely poinsettia may not be truly poisonous, but its milky sap and leaves can certainly cause distress.  With so many hybrid varieties available each year, the best approach is to keep the plants out of your pet’s reach.

CANDLES:  Lighted candles should never be left unattended.  This is even more important if left at kitties’ eye level or within puppies chewing zone.  An exuberant tail, a swat of a paw, and candles and hot wax can quickly become disastrous.  Anchor candles securely and away from curious faces and feet.

PINE NEEDLES:  Check around holiday boughs and trees frequently.

Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet’s intestines if sharp enough.

CHRISTMAS TREE:  Make sure your tree is well secured.  If you have a tree-climbing cat or a large dog with a happy tail, anchor the top of the tree to the wall using strong cord or rope.  Preservatives often used in the water in a tree stand can cause gastric upsets, so be sure to make it inaccessible or don’t use them at all.  Avoid sugar and aspirin additives in the water as well.

ORNAMENTS:  Sharp or breakable ornaments, dreidels and even aluminum foil should be kept out of reach.  String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons, are to be safeguarded at all costs.  They are thin and sharp and can wrap around the intestines or ball up in the stomach if ingested.

STRESS AND COMPANY:  With everyone coming and going, watch out for open doors and sneaky pets.  Make sure your pets have collars and tags on in case of escape.  Ask guests to keep an eye out for pets underfoot and remind them that sometimes your normally friendly dog or cat may be less than willing to deal with enthusiastic children and rooms full of unfamiliar people.  Provide a special, quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the festivities get too stressful. 

ELECTRICAL CORDS:  Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew.  Be sure to secure your cords out of the way.

CHOCOLATE DANGERS: Theobromine, a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the cocoa bean, can be harmful even in small amounts.  Theobromine can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets.  Larger doses can be fatal.  The lethal dose of theobromine depends on the size of the dog and the type of chocolate.  Ounce for ounce, baking chocolate has 6 to 9 times as much theobromine as milk chocolate.

Estimates of the smallest amounts that can be fatal are:

4 – 10 ozs. of milk chocolate or ½ - 1 oz. of baking chocolate for small dogs

(including Chihuahuas or toy poodles).

1 – 1 ½  lbs. of milk chocolate or 2-3 ozs.  of baking chocolate for medium sized dogs

(including cocker spaniels and bulldogs).

2 – 4 ½  lbs. of milk chocolate or 4 – 8 ozs. of  baking chocolate for large dogs

(including collies, labs, and retrievers).

See your veterinarian immediately if some of these signs are noticed:

·         Restlessness

·         Hyper, excitable

·         Vomiting or diarrhea

·         Seizures

·         Muscle spasms

ANTIFREEZE:  During the colder months, a routine automotive practice is to use antifreeze in your radiator or windshield washer fluid.  Antifreeze is sweet tasting to your pet and they may be tempted to drink it.  Antifreeze is extremely toxic and often fatal to pets when ingested.  Even a small puddle spilled on your driveway  is of concern

TYLENOL (acetaminophen): Tylenol is toxic to cats and can be hazardous to dogs, therefore if your pet is not feeling well over the holiday season, please contact your veterinarian before giving any medications to your pet.

OUTDOOR DOGS:  Please realize that the nutritional requirements for an outdoor dog are a lot higher than for an indoor dog, especially during the colder months.  If concerned, please consult your veterinarian regarding the dietary changes required for your pet.  Shelter during the winter months is especially important.  Your pet will require a well insulated dog house, raised off the ground, with the entrance facing away from the prevailing wind.  The shelter should be just large enough for your pet to lie down comfortably.  Ensure that the water supply is checked regularly as it may freeze.

 

 

 

AAHA DENOUNCES RAW FOOD DIET

The American Animal Hospital Association has joined the American Veterinary Medical Association in taking a stand against raw food diets for pets.

AAHA published a position statement on its website that reported the association “does not advocate or endorse feeding pets any raw or dehydrated nonsterilized foods, including treats that are of animal origin.”  The association based its decision on “over-whelming scientific evidence” and cited 50 sources to support its decision.  The position includes raw commercial diets, said AAHA executive director Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, Dipl. ABVP.  “We’re not aware of accepted processes that a commercial diet could go through that could ensure there aren’t going to be pathogens present,” Dr. Cavanaugh said.  “If that were to change – if the government came out and said “This is an accepted process, this is the procedure’ – then it would certainly be time to change our statement.”

Up to 30 percent of dogs fed homemade or raw food diets may shed pathogenic or organisms in their stool, according to the AAHA statement.   The AVMA issued its statement in August, just prior to AAHA’s releasing its statement.  However, AAHA’s board of directors approved its raw food position several months ago, Cavanaugh said, and the timing was coincidental.  The reason AAHA delayed releasing its statement was because the organization was awaiting endorsements from the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, both of which ultimately supported AAHA’s statement.

In its statement, the AVMA recommended feeding “fresh, clean, nutritionally balanced and complete commercially prepared or home-cooked food to cats and dogs” but did not use the word “raw” when describing the commercially prepare food.  Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.,  which does not offer any raw diets, is among AAHA’s sponsors, but the association’s affiliation with Hill’s played no role in it’s decision to come out against raw food diets, Cavanaugh said.  

“Just because we put out a position statement doesn’t mean that everyone will agree with it, but we express our opinion based on scientific information”, Cavanaugh said.

Farley Foundation Major Milestone

Farley Foundation surpasses $1 million in veterinary care disbursements!

The Farley Foundation celebrates a major milestone of disbursing over $1 million to help people in need pay for the necessary veterinary care of their pets.  “We’ve come a long way in a relatively short period of time,” says Dr. Mark Gemmill, President of the Farley Foundation.  “When we first opened our doors in 2002, we had hoped to provide Ontario veterinarians with the opportunity to direct some of their benevolent work to assist the neediest pet owners in our communities.  Clearly, the Foundation has struck a chord with Ontarians who understand the bond that exists between people and their pets.  This has given us the momentum and the financial ability to assist nearly 3,000 sick or injured pets belonging to people who benefit most from pet ownership, including disabled individuals, seniors and women at risk of abuse. 

To date, the Farley Foundation has assisted 1,570 dogs; 1098 cats; 8 rabbits; 7 birds; 4 ferrets; and 1 snake, horse, chinchilla, bearded dragon, guinea pig, and hamster.

Learn more about the Farley Foundation at www.farleyfoundation.org.

COMPARING THE COST - HUMAN VS. ANIMAL

By Dr. Doug Mader MS, DVM, DIPLOMATE, ABVP (CA)

A lot has been discussed about the cost of veterinary care in my column over the last couple of months.  I have been pushing for preventive health care –it is always less expensive than treating a problem once it happens.  But sometimes, things happen and we may not get a choice when we can seek the care.

I was in a serious auto accident many years ago. I have had more than my share of surgeries as a result of that event. There is nary a body part that hasn’t been cut on, but the record, by far, is my left elbow.  The most recent of the seven surgeries was just last month.

Interestingly, just prior to this last surgery, I performed a similar surgery on one of my patients.  I weigh 175pounds.  My patient was an adult, male golden retriever named Rover weighing in at an even 100 pounds.  He and I are about the same age in dog years.

 

I had an olecranon bursectomy.  I did an elbow hygoma repair on my quadrupedal  counterpart – a very similar surgical procedure.  Note the photo for a comparison.  Boxed is a breakdown of the two parallel procedures.

 

I received fantastic care during my surgery and brief stay at the hospital.  I guarantee that Rover got just as good a quality of care as I did.  I think service and compassion were a wash in this comparison.

I know for a fact that many pet owners think veterinarians charge too much.  I hear that all the time.  Take a look at this side-by-side fee comparison.  The same surgery, one-tenth the cost.

Service or Procedure	Rover Paid	Doug Paid
Initial office exam	$75.	$290.
X-rays	$160	$300.
X-ray reading fee	---	$180.
Estimate given	Yes,($1,750.)	Yes, ($12,000.)
Pre-op Antibiotics	$21.	$205.
Pre-op Meds	$45.	$231.
IV Catheter	$42.	$289.
IV fluids	$35.	$43.
Anesthesia	$224.	$2,860.
Recovery	---	$860.
OR fee	---	$6,915.
Surgeon Fee	$650.	$1,484.
Incision Size	2 cm	2cm
Microbial culture	$123.	$539.
Histopath  (tissue analysis)	$129.	$241.
Bandage	$62.	$302.
Rx Antiobitics	$41.	$205.
Rx Pain medications	$78.	$130.
Miscellaneous fees *	---	$850.
Recheck/Suture Removal	0	$90.
TOTAL	$1,685.	$16,014.

*Anesthetic monitoring, surgery pack, OR and recovery room O2, suture, gauze, drapes, prep, BG, BP cuff, suction, sterile containers, Pulse Ox sensor, headrest pad.



BIRD OWNERS - ZuPreem FOOD RECALL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 2, 2012 – ZuPreem®, under parent company Premium Nutritional Products, Inc. is voluntarily recalling the 11/30/13 and the 11/13 expiration date codes of ZuPreem Medium/Large and Large FruitBlend™ With Natural Fruit Flavors maintenance formula bird foods. This voluntary recall is being initiated because two lots may contain calcium levels higher than the recommended level.

The voluntary recall is limited only to 11/30/13 and 11/13 expiration dates.

Consumers are advised to review the backside of packaging for the "Use By" or "Best By" (expiration date) to determine if the product has been affected by this voluntary recall. All ZuPreem channels, including distributors and retailers, have been notified of the voluntary recall. Each partner has been asked to immediately remove these products from store shelves.
The two voluntarily recalled lots are 598405052 and 598405072.

This voluntary recall has been activated due to elevated calcium levels. The calcium was inadvertently introduced into these lot codes during the manufacturing process. Excessive calcium intake can make birds sick and, in some cases, may be fatal.
Symptoms include decreased activity level, decreased appetite, increased water consumption and loose or watery droppings. If owners notice any of these symptoms, they should immediately contact their veterinarian.
Bird owners should monitor the health of their birds and notify their veterinarian if they notice any unusual symptoms. They should also discard any unused product and return the packaging to the place of purchase for a replacement or full refund.

Consumers may contact the ZuPreem Customer Service line at 1-800-345-4767 where company representatives are responding to inquiries regarding any issues relevant to this voluntary recall.

FAQs

What is being announced?

Premium Nutritional Products has issued a voluntary recall of its ZuPreem® Medium/Large and ZuPreem® Large FruitBlend™ With Natural Fruit Flavors maintenance formula bird foods. The affected lots carry the expiration date codes of "Use by 11/30/13" and "Best by 11/13."

Why are these products being recalled?

This voluntary recall is being initiated because one lot of ZuPreem® Medium/Large (598405052) and one lot of ZuPreem® Large (598405072) FruitBlend™ With Natural Fruit Flavors maintenance formula bird foods may contain elevated calcium levels.

What product expiration date codes are affected?

The only lots affected by this recall are the ZuPreem® Medium/Large and the ZuPreem® Large FruitBlend™ With Natural Fruit Flavors maintenance formula bird foods with "Use By 11/30/13" and "Best by 11/13" expiration date codes.

Are other ZuPreem® products affected?

No other ZuPreem® products or lots of FruitBlend™ With Natural Fruit Flavors maintenance formula bird food are affected or part of this recall.

How will bird owners or breeders know if they have the recalled product?

The "Use by" and "Best by" expiration date and lot numbers can be found on the back of the package.

What should people do if they have the product?

Consumers who have purchased these products with the lot codes and expiration dates should discontinue using this product, discard the food and return the packaging to the place of purchase for replacement or a full refund.

What if owners fed the product?

They should monitor the health of their birds and notify their veterinarian if they notice any unusual symptoms. They should also discard any unused product and return the packaging to the place of purchase for a replacement or full refund.

What symptoms should they look for?

Symptoms include decreased activity level, decreased appetite, increased water consumption and loose or watery droppings.

What should owners do if they see symptoms?

If owners notice any of these symptoms, they should immediately contact their veterinarian.

What is the risk to birds of excessive calcium intake?

Excessive calcium intake can make birds sick and, in some cases, may be fatal.

Where were the affected products distributed?

The products in question were sold through pet stores, veterinary clinics, mail order and online in North America and other regions of the world.

CAT VACCINES 

 

One of these cats is sick, can you tell which one?



“I vaccinated my cat as a kitten, so it’s protected for life.”  

Once is not enough.  While kitten vaccines offer great initial protection, the effect begins to wear off with time.  Without additional boosters, a cat’s immune system may not be strong enough to ward off certain infectious diseases. 

It is recommended that owners take their older cats – those that are still healthy and those with long-standing but stable disease conditions – to receive ongoing routine vaccines. Your veterinarian can recommend vaccines.

“My cat never looks sick.”

Taking a cue from their wild ancestors, cats are masters at disguising pain and illness as a protective mechanism.  As a result, many owners fail to recognize the telltale signs.  Here are some common symptoms to look for:

• Excessive sleeping
•  Urinating and drinking more water than usual
• Spending more time in the litter box
• Lack of appetite
• Limping
• Hiding
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Excessive vocalization
• Behavioural changes

“My cat can take care of itself.”

Because of a cat’s reputation for independence, people mistakenly believe that their feline friend can look after itself.  That’s not the case; cats need attention and healthcare from their owners and their veterinarian. 

“My cat is older, it doesn’t need to be vaccinated or examined every year.”

In its senior years, a cat’s immune system may not be as capable of overcoming infectious diseases, so it’s more important to make regular visits.  The AAFP and the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) recommend a minimum of one wellness exam per year and even more frequently for senior or geriatric cats, if warranted by their medical condition.  These exams can help detect several chronic ailments particular to senior cats.

“My cat is indoors, why get it vaccinated?”

Indoor cats are often able to sneak out.  In one study, 41% of lost cats were considered by their owners to be indoor-only.  And, according to the American Humane Society, only 2% of lost cats ever find their way back from shelters, often because they lack tag or microchip identification.  Once outside, they can quickly pick up diseases from their neighbourhood.

With its rabies vaccination, your cat will receive an identification tag which allows you to go online and register your pet.  (visit: www.getmehome.ca)

“Veterinary visits and vaccines are expensive.”

Preventive feline healthcare will improve the quality of life for your cat, and that peace-of-mind is priceless.  Plus, you’ll save on expensive veterinary costs through ongoing wellness checks that will detect potential serious problems in the early stages.

“My cat hates going to the veterinarian.”

In a recent study, more than half of all cat owners reported they avoid veterinary visits for their cat because of the stress involved with travel to and from the clinic and the visit itself.  Not to worry, the following information provides comforting ways to transport your cat to the vet and back home again.

 

TIPS ON HOW TO TRANSPORT YOUR CAT TO THE VETERINARY CLINIC CALMLY AND COMFORTABLY.

• Look for a carrier with proper ventilation, made of sturdy plastic, with a front door and, ideally, with a top that can be lifted off.
• Place the open carrier in an undisturbed area where your cat likes to spend time.  With time, your cat will get used to it.
• Place a piece of clothing with your scent in the carrier.  Include soft bedding,  their favourite treats, or familiar toys in the carrier.
• Gently rub a cloth around your cat’s face.  With the scented cloth, rub it on your cat’s carrier to make it smell like home.
• To reduce motion sickness, avoid feeding your cat a few hours before the trip.
• After you’ve placed your cat in the carrier, place a towel over the carrier.  This should help calm your cat.
• In the car, drive smoothly, reduce the noise (music, honking, etc.)  Instead, talk to your cat, as your voice can be reassuring.  A cat’s sense of hearing is 4 times sharper than ours.
• While in the clinic waiting room, keep the towel on the carrier and sit as far away as possible from dogs.
• After returning home (if other cats are around), take a cloth and rub the other cats.  Then rub the returning cat with the same cloth – this can reduce conflicts.
• Don’t worry if your cat seems unhappy after their visit to the clinic.  The minor stress experienced is not harmful to your cat’s health or to your relationship with it.

Remember, regular visits to veterinary clinics have been proven to extend the life and well-being of our feline friends.  You’ll feel better, and so will your fun, affectionate loving cat.

Crate training is not just for the dogs.  In fact, taking time to adapt a cat to a crate or carrier can have tremendous benefits for the cat, the owner, and the veterinarian.  Cats that are comfortable and secure with their carriers can be more successfully managed during travel, vacation, visits to the veterinarian, or when confinement is necessary post surgery, or in the management of behaviour problems such as aggression or house soiling.

Many cats become fearful and even aggressive when being placed in their carrier, or even at the sight of a carrier.  This is likely to be the case if the cat has been previously forced into the carrier, or the carrier has been associated with unpleasant experiences.  If a cat is fearful of its carrier, this can incite fear even before the car ride or veterinary visit. Cat owners should focus from the outset on making the carrier a positive and secure place for the cat.

Although young kittens are generally less fearful and more exploratory, it should be possible to make the carrier inviting for cats of all ages.  This can best be achieved by locating the carrier with the door open in an area where the cat likes to explore, play, eat, or sleep.  The key to success is to be creative in finding ways to encourage the cat to voluntarily enter and find comfort in the carrier by offering, treats, food, toys, or bedding.

In addition, many cats will be naturally curious to enter to they can spread their body and cheek gland marks on the cat carrier; this should be immediately reinforced with treats.

Cat owners will need to determine what type of carrier is most appealing to their cat.  Some cats are more relaxed when they can see what is going on around them, in which case a wire crate might be better.  Others feel more secure in a carrier with solid sides.  Rigid carriers may be sturdier and easier to keep clean but some cats may more willingly enter a soft-sided carrier.  Carriers can open from the side or top.  Carriers that offer both options allow the cat to enter from either door while the top opening (or removing the top) might provide a less stressful way to work with cats in a veterinary clinic environment.  Once a cat will readily enter the carrier, the owners should practice lifting and moving the carrier, followed by short car rides that incorporate treats and rewards to distract the cat.  Make sure the initial trip is an enjoyable experience.

Every effort should be made to condition the cat to its carrier before any stressful outing.  However, if there is not enough time to introduce the cat to the carrier before the first trip, the owners should work to insure that confinement is as stress-free as possible.  Food or treats and comfortable bedding may help the cat to adapt.  In addition, by spraying a synthetic feline facial pheromone (e.g. Feliway) on the bedding about 30 minutes before placing the cat in the carrier, stress and anxiety may be further reduced.  Medication or other natural products to reduce anxiety might also need to be considered.

Finally, for cats that have had a previous negative experience with a carrier, consider re-training with a carrier that is sufficiently different in size, shape or surface texture that it does not cause fear and the cat is more likely to voluntarily enter. Putting treats, toys or bedding in the carrier can again help to encourage its use.  Another option is to purchase a carrier with a removable top and to give the cat an opportunity to use the bottom half for feeding or resting.  Pet owners should not close the carrier until the cat is comfortable with entering and staying inside. 

This article was co-authored by Dr. Colleen Wilson and Dr. Gary Landsberg.  Dr. Landsberg is a veterinary behaviourist at the North Toronto Animal Clinic in Thornhill.  He is a mentor for the ACVB specialty training program for Dr. Denenberg at the North Toronto location (northtorontovets.com) and Dr. Wilson at Osgoode Veterinary Services (osgoodvet.com) in Ottawa.  It was first published in the OVMA’s January/February 2011 issue of Focus magazine and is reprinted with permission.